Novec 1230- the Next Generation of Halon and CO2

Novec 1230, C6F12O, (3M Novec 1230) fluid is a low global warming potential Halon replacement for use as a gaseous fire suppression agent. Novec 1230 is manufactured by 3M. This Fire Protection Fluid is an advanced, “next-generation” halon and CO2 replacement, offering a number of important advantages over other clean agents and CO2 in marine applications. With zero ozone depletion potential, short atmospheric lifetime and a global warming potential of 1, Novec 1230 fluid has proven to be the first chemical halon replacement to offer a viable, long-term, sustainable solution for marine fire protection.

The product is based on a proprietary chemistry from 3M. Its low acute toxicity, combined with high extinguishing efficiency, gives Novec 1230 fluid the widest margin of safety among all other chemical clean agents and CO2 – even at relatively high extinguishing concentrations. This makes Novec 1230 fluid ideal for occupied spaces,
including engine and pump rooms, paint lockers and communication and control centers where personnel may be exposed to the agent upon system discharge. Novec 1230 fluid vaporizes rapidly during discharge, and it is non-corrosive and non-conductive, so it will not harm delicate electronics, radar, navigation and other equipment. And, unlike foams and powders, it leaves no residue to clean up, which means that operations can continue without interruption.

Image Credit: safety1021.rssing.com

Fig: Novec 1230 total flooding system in engine room.

Novec 1230 fluid is a high molecular weight material, compared with the first generation halocarbon clean agents. The product has a heat of vaporization of 88.1 kJ/kg and low vapor pressure. Although it is a liquid at room temperature it gasifies immediately after being discharged in a total flooding system.

The product is ideal for use in total flooding applications, localized flooding systems, directional spray type applications and may be used in portable extinguishers for specialized applications. But in addition to the conventional methods of super-pressurization using nitrogen, Novec 1230 fluid also lends itself for use in pump applications because it is a liquid.

It has been used as a full-immersion fluid in a proof of concept data center cooling system by Intel and SGI[2]

Chemically, it is a fluorinated ketone with the systematic name 1,1,1,2,2,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-3-pentanone and the structural formula CF3CF2C(=O)CF(CF3)2, a fully fluorinated analog of ethyl isopropyl ketone.

The detail information of 3M Novec 1230 can be found by clicking the below links:
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/188474O/3m-novec-1230-fire-protection-fluid-marine-application.pdf?fn=apinfo_nvc1230_ma.pdf
http://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/567505O/enhanced-fire-protection-for-marine-applications.pdf?fn=Novec1230MarineApArt.pdf